Local business Takedown Tactical to appear on 'Dog' reality show

Thursday

Dec 27, 2012 at 5:00 AM

By Courtney Day T-G Staff Writer

When the first episode of a new reality show, "Dog," airs on Country Music Television in the spring, Ashland residents may recognize a familiar face. Justin VanStee, owner of Takedown Tactical, will appear in the show's premiere, as well as in future episodes as a supplier of tactical gear for famous bounty hunter and TV personality Duane "Dog" Chapman and his team.

Chapman's first television series, "Dog the Bounty Hunter," followed Chapman and his family as they hunted down fugitives. The series began in 2004 and aired on A&E for eight seasons before it was canceled in May. On the new show, Chapman, along with his wife, Beth, and their sons, will visit struggling bail bondsmen and bounty hunters, equipping and training them to be more successful.

VanStee said he is the main equipment supplier for the show, providing body armor and tactical gear for the Chapmans and the agencies they visit. He will appear on the show as needed to outfit the cast, provide armor and weapon training and give instruction on the use of pepper spray and other less dangerous items.

In return, Takedown Tactical will be listed as an official show sponsor.

"If I had to spend this type of money on advertising, it would be over a million dollars," VanStee said.

VanStee said he has been selling gear to law enforcement for 15 years and opened Takedown Tactical about five years ago. The shop sells brands including Renegade Armor, First Spear, 5.11, Tru-Spec, Vertx, Sig Sauer and Stag Arms, and VanStee acts as a sales representative for several of the brands the shop carries. The business owner already sells to law enforcement agencies throughout Ohio and surrounding states, but VanStee expects his business to grow as a result of the national exposure the show will bring.

"In talking with Dog, he said basically, 'You have no idea what you're in for,' " VanStee said.

VanStee already has traveled to Michigan for the show's first taping and plans to travel to Las Vegas for filming in January. The show may be filming at Takedown Tactical on Orange Road in Ashland sometime this spring, VanStee said.

He also said working on the show has been enjoyable so far and he has developed a relationship with the Chapman family.

VanStee said he knew one of the body armor suppliers for which he acts as a sales representative supplied gear to the Chapman family when the first show was on the air. Then the Ashland resident met and became friends with Dog's son, Leeland, during a vacation in Hawaii.

"They're very down to earth, laid back people," VanStee said of the Chapman family, adding that Dog himself is "a nice guy."

To start, CMT has ordered 14 hourlong episodes of the reality show, but a premiere date has not been announced.

Courtney Day can be reached at 419-281-0581, ext. 243, or cday@times-gazette.com.